Tuesday, September 12, 2006

It has begun.

Sent off an email to my extended family today, asking for mailing addresses. Still trying to sort out how the invitation-process will go, given the fact that the wedding will occur at least a month before the "reception". Suspect non-relatives, at least, will receive an email invitation to Cuba, with booking details, to be followed by a "proper" invitation for the reception later in the year. Since most invitees frequent the blogosphere, thought I'd ask what everyone's impressions are...

I've seen things dealt with so that there are separate pieces of paper for the wedding and the reception, the problem with doing one mailing being that I then have to book the reception in the span of the next two weeks, at least, to give people a month to respond regarding the wedding. It's looking like it will be far less complicated (if more expensive) to do a separate mailing for the reception.

Usually Reception places are quite booked-up (regardless of the venue) so you may consider checking it out sooner than later - in case you find a place you like, and it's booked.

I think an e-mail is great for the details, but you may consider a paper invitation, for yourself and any family/friends that would like a keepsake (and if you're going to make a scrapbook or memory album or anything like that).

Welcome to the madness, my friend. My advice - If you're working up something yourself in terms of an invite(s) doing two mailings won't be too expensive. If it helps you keep things organized, go with it. And drink pleny of whisky (just as an aside.) Oh, and by the way, I found out you bailed me out of an awkard situation at my wedding - I sooo owe you.)

Talked it over with Matt last night. It's looking like family will get the mailed wedding invitation, with an email to friends (you're all tech. savvy, you lot), to be followed, later, with the hard-copy reception invitation to everyone.

I think both you and Matt have a pretty good handle on these things. I agree - two mailings are in order on account of the two separate events. As mir said, it would serve you best to check out reception venues first before you go any further on your paperwork.

These are indeed very exciting times for you. Can't believe that you are now planning for your big day - how time has flown by. It's not that long ago when you were just a baby...now, you're all grown up and all ready for the next phase....Happy times, kiddo.

Whee! Wedding plans! Are you excited yet, are ya? Even just a tiny bit? :D

In addition to what everyone else has said, here are some things to keep in mind:

- The earlier people know about the destination wedding details the better, send out those details [the media used can be an informal as you'd like, just as long as you have the final head count written down somewhere] - as soon as you've pinned down hotel details including the rates - group discounts?, date of ceremony etc, notify everyone.

- Booking a reception hall off season [for the "proper" reception] could save you bundles [halls may vary on their definition of off season but it's usually the colder months, like November - Feb]... something to consider, but sometimes it's worth the extra cash to have a warmer wedding.

- Booking a hall on a day other than a Saturday will save you even more - a smart couple I know, had their wedding on the Sunday of a long weekend ;)

- Most places won't allow you to bring in outside food & booze, but some will. It all comes down to where you want to have the reception, what you want to spend and the kind of food you want - some places have a few set entrees, others will cater for any ethnic food you choose.

Once you have an idea of where, when and type of food it'll make sorting through tons of halls that much easier, feel free to pick my brain on halls to avoid once you have a short list. ;)

Here's the funny thing about me, I see the wedding itself as such a flurry of planning that I don't think I'll enjoy doing any of it. Ultimately, I have certain requirements (photos, for instance) that I want met -- things I won't forgive myself if I opt out of, but I really just want the rest of it to be a party. In other words, this is not going to be a traditional church/white gown wedding, and I want the reception to be kinda "home-y". Even if Matt and I had the budget for extravagance, we probably wouldn't go that route. It's just not true to either of us.

In a nutshell, I really don't much care for the wedding, aside from the fact that it should be fun once it's happening, but I am looking forward to the marriage.

The planning part of everything is a necessary PITA, regardless of the type of wedding one has, but you do it to ensure the day works out the way you'd like, in your case that would include picking a photographer you'd be happy with and ensuring whoever is spinning the tunes for the party is doing a good job at upkeeping the party atmosphere.

Also if you're going for homey, again picking a hall [or other location] to achieve that still has to be included in the plans.

One bit of advice though, try not to approach the planning stage with a "I hate having to do this" approach though, otherwise you're going to be pretty miserable until the wedding day itself ;)

About Me

I'm a woman of mixed-race, so my food interests tend towards multicultural. I'm also a mom, which means that I've oftentimes had to adapt my favourite foods to be kid-friendly. Amongst my food allergies/sensitivities, I'm lactose-intolerant, can't eat many tree nuts and stone fruits, have difficulty eating the "dirty dozen" and other pesticide-heavy produce, and seem to have developed an egg yolk sensitivity.